Microstructure, phase composition and mechanical properties of aging nonmagnetic steels strengthening by carbide-intermetallide (VC+NiAl)

The microstructure, phase composition and the physical and mechanical properties of the ageing non-magnetic steels have been studied. During the ageing of these steels the NiAl-based intermetallic compound alone or the NiAl-based intermetallic compounds together with the VC-based carbide have been released. It is established that the best complex of the 60G18N12Yu4F2 steel physical and mechanical properties is achieved after hardening at 1150 deg C with subsequent ageing at 650 deg C, 10Hz. A higher extent of the hardening of this steel is stemming from the presence in its structure of a considerable amount of the VC disperse particles and the NiAl-based intermetallic compounds. These phases are spread unifirmly along the matrix. The vanadium carbides released during the ageing accelerate the process of the intermetallic compounds release